A modified technique of renal artery anastomosis in rat kidney transplantation

Aims: To reduce warm ischemic time and avoid irreversible damage to the graft in rat kidney transplantation.

Methods: After left nephrectomy, recipients were transplanted with syngeneic kidney grafts using microsurgical techniques. In control rats (n = 20), the renal artery anastomoses were performed with 8-9 interrupted sutures by the conventional technique. In experimental animals (n = 20), a modified anastomosis was performed using fewer (5-6) sutures and fibrin glue devoid of thrombin.

Results: The number of sutures in the control group was 8.09 + or - 0.35 while that in the experimental group was 5.65 + or - 0.48 (p < 0.01). The warm ischemic time reduced from 29.7 + or - 1.1 min in the control group to 23.9 + or - 0.9 min in the experimental group (p < 0.01). These anastomoses maintained adequate patency rates and mechanical strength. Up to 21 days after operation, the graft survival rates in the experimental and control groups were 90 and 85%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our modified technique for renal artery anastomosis significantly reduced the warm ischemic time in rat kidney transplantation. This technique would be a safe and reliable method for rat renal artery anastomosis as well as for other microarterial anastomoses, particularly for novice surgeons.